The English Opening

This Chess opening involves the first move c4, (called The English Opening because a group of English players in around the 1890's often played it, including Howard Staunton), it is played as one of the main opening choices for white- an alternative to d4(Queen's Pawn Opening) or e4(King's Pawn Opening).

Most positions in this opening are positional in nature rather than the more tactical nature of other openings because white is preparing an attack on the flank, and often fianchettos his bishop with moves such as g3 and bg2 in order to attack a black central pawn mass.

An early d5 is the most critical reply by Black otherwise he can lose control of the d5 square and thus be on the defensive.

The main lines are the Symmetrical English- 1 c4 c5, 2 Nf3 Nc6, 3 Nc3 Nf6, 4 g3 g6 etc. or the English Four Knights- 1 c4 e5, 2 Nc3 Nf6, 3 Nf3 Nc6, 4 g3 when like i said d5 is blacks best reply.

Watch out if you're a nimzo-indian player and like to play e6, Nf6 and Bb4 as black because the Mikenas-Flohr Variation of 1 c4 e6, 2 Nc3 Nf6, 3 e4 has quite a sting to it. Other lines for white include The Botvinnik System with the kings knight on e2 and an early fianchetto eg 1 c4 e5, 2 g3 Nf6, 3 Bg2 Nc6, 4 Nc3 g6, 5 e4 Bg7, 6 Nge2 with the posibility of d4 or f4 or even d3 and f4. Another posible line this time for Black is 1 c4 e5, 2 g3 nf6 and 3 Bg2 c6 of The Keres System.

Traps for white include an early b6 when white's bishop is already on g2, white can sacrifice in such a position eg see diagram

, and an early attack on the f3 knight by 1.c4 e5, 2.Nc3 Nf6, 3.Nf3 e4?! this is called The English Three Knights and a move such as Ng5 shows the uncorrectness of Blacks strategy.

A trap for Black leading to mate is a move order such as The Korchnoi Variation which is 1.c4 e5, 2.Nc3 Nf6, 3.Nf3 Nc6, 4.g3 Nd4!?, 5.Nxe5?! Qe7, 6.Nf3?? Nxf3+mate.

Other main lines not mentioned are the Kramnik-Shirov Counter Attack, Grand Prix Attack, Rubeinstein Variation and Keres-Parma Variation.

Article 2:

The English Opening is the opening where White begins 1.c4.

A flank opening, it is the fourth most popular[1][2] and, according to various databases, anywhere from one of the two most successful[1] to the fourth most successful[3] of White's twenty possible first moves. White begins the fight for the center by staking a claim to the d5 square from the wing, in hypermodern style. Although many lines of the English have a distinct character, the opening is often used as a transpositional device in much the same way as 1.Nf3 - to avoid such highly-regarded responses to 1.d4 as theNimzo-Indian and Grünfeld defences, and is considered reliable and flexible.

The English derives its name from the English (unofficial) world champion, Howard Staunton, who played it during his 1843 match with Saint-Amant and London 1851, the first international tournament.[4] It did not inspire Staunton's contemporaries, and only caught on in the twentieth century.[4] It is now recognised as a solid opening that may be used to reach both classical and hypermodern positions. Mikhail Botvinnik, Tigran Petrosian, Anatoly Karpov, and Garry Kasparov all employed it during their world championship matches. Bobby Fischer created a stir when he switched to it from his hitherto almost universal 1.e4 late in his career, employing it against Lev Polugaevskyand Oscar Panno at the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal in 1970 and in his 1972 world championship match against Boris Spassky.

Transpositional potential

1...Nf6

White can play 2.d4, thereby transposing to an Indian defence, which is usually reached by 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4, after which Black may play 2...e6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6), or black may play 2...g6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6). Also white can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...e6 for English (A13, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6). This can lead to Queen's Gambit Declined (D37), Queen's Indian (E12), or Symmetrical Variation (A30). Or black may play 2...g6 for English (A15, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6). This can lead to King's Indian Defense (E60), King's Indian, Orthodox (E94), King's Indian (E92), or English (A15). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...e5 for English (A28, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5). This can lead to English (A28), Old Indian, Ukrainian Variation, 4.Nf3 (A54), or English (A22). Or black may play 2...e6 for English (A17, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6). This can lead to Nimzo-Indian, Classical (E32), Queen's Gambit Declined (D35), Symmetrical Variation (A30), or Queen's Gambit Declined (D37).

1...e5

White can play 2.Nc3. Then Black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or Black may play 2...Nc6 for English (A25, see 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6). This can lead to English (A25), English (A22), or English (A20). Also white can play 2.g3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for English (A20, see 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6). This can lead to English (A22) or English (A20). Or black may play 2...Nc6 for English (A25, see 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6). This can lead to English (A25), English (A22), or English (A20).

1...e6

White can play 2.d4, which is usually reached by 1.d4 e6 2. c4 so see Queen's Pawn Game. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6), or black may play 2...d5 (see 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6). Also white can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or black may play 2...d5 for English (A13, see 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5). This can lead to Queen's Gambit Declined (D37), Queen's Gambit Declined (D30), or English (A13). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or black may play 2...d5 for Queen's Gambit Declined (D31, see 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5). This can lead to Queen's Gambit Declined (D35) or Queen's Gambit Declined (D31).

1...c5

White can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for Symmetrical Variation (A30, see 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A30), Symmetrical Variation (A35), Queen's Pawn Game (E10), or Symmetrical Variation, Benoni Formation (A31). Or black may play 2...Nc6 for Réti Opening (A04, see 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A35), Reti Opening (A04), or Symmetrical Variation (A33). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for Symmetrical Variation (A34, see 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nf6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A30), Symmetrical Variation (A35), or Symmetrical Variation (A34). Or black may play 2...Nc6 for English (A36, see 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A35), Reti Opening (A04), English (A36), or English (A34).

1...g6

White can play 2.d4, which is usually reached by 1.d4 g6 2.c4 so see Queen's Pawn Game. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6), or black may play 2...Bg7 (see 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for English (A16, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6). This can lead to King's Indian Defense (E97), Grünfeld Defense (D85), King's Indian (E95), or English (A15). Or black may play 2...Bg7 for English (A10, see 1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7). This can lead to King's Indian Defense (E97), Modern Defense, Averbakh System (A42), English (A16), or English (A36). Also white can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or black may play 2...c5 for Réti Opening (A04, see 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 g6). This can lead to Reti Opening (A04) or Sicilian, Accelerated Fianchetto (B36).

1...c6

White can play 2.e4, which is usually reached by 1.e4 c6 2.c4 so see Caro-Kann Defense. Then black may play 2...d5 (see 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5), or black may play 2...e5 (see 1.e4 c6 2.c4 e5). Also white can play 2.d4. Then black may play 2...d5 for Slav Defense (D10, see 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6). This can lead to Slav Defense (D15), Queen's Gambit Declined (D30), Slav Defense (D10), or Queen's Gambit Declined (D31). Or black may play 2...Nf6 for Slav Defense (D15, see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6). This can lead to Slav Defense (D15) or Slav Defense (D10).

If White plays an early d4, the game will usually transpose into either the Queen's Gambit or an Indian defence. For example, after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.d4 d5 the game has transposed into the Grünfeld Defence, usually reached by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5.

Note, however, that White can also play 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4, making it impossible for Black to reach a Grünfeld, instead more or less forcing him into lines of the King's Indian Defence with 3...d6. Black also cannot force a Grünfeld with 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5, since White can deviate with 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3, a line played several times by Mikhail Botvinnik in 1958, in his final match for the world championship withVasily Smyslov.

Instead of playing an early d4, White can also play Nf3 and fianchetto the king's bishop (g3 and Bg2), transposing into a Reti Opening.

Also, after 1.c4 c6, white can transpose into the Polish Opening, Outflank Variation, by playing 2.b4!?, which can be used as a surprise weapon if Black does not know very much about the Polish Opening.[5]

The many different transpositional possibilities available to White make the English a slippery opening for Black to defend against, and make it necessary for him to consider carefully what move order to employ. For instance, if Black would like to play a Queen's Gambit Declined, the most accurate move order to do so is 1...e6 2.d4 d5. (Of course, White can again play the Reti instead with 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3.) If Black plays instead 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e6, White can avoid the QGD by playing 3.e4.

Common responses

Opening theoreticians who write on the English Opening break the opening down into three broad categories, generally determined by Black, who selects one of three types of defensive setups. These include the Symmetrical Defense (classified A30s in ECO), which is 1...c5, and is so named because both of the c-pawns are advanced two squares, maintaining symmetry. Note that Black can reach the Symmetrical Defense through many move orders by playing a delayed ...c5, and in fact often does. For example, 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 (or 2.Nf3) c5 is a Symmetrical Defense even though Black played ...c5 on move two.

Another broad category of defence Black can choose against the English Opening is called the Reverse(d) Sicilian (classified A20s in ECO), which is introduced by the response 1...e5. Note again, that Black can delay playing ...e5, for example 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5 whereupon even though ...e5 has been delayed, once it is played the defence is classified as a Reverse Sicilian.

The third broad category are the non-...e5 and non-...c5 responses, classified A10s in ECO. Most often these defences consist of ...Nf6, ...e6, and ...d5 or ...Bb4 systemic responses by Black, or a Slav-like system consisting of ...c6 and ...d5, a direct King's Indian Defense setup with ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7, ...0-0, after which ...c5 and ...e5 are eschewed, or 1...f5, which usually transposes to a Dutch Defense once White plays d4. All irregular responses such as 1...b6 and 1...g5 are also lumped into this third broad category.

Common responses include:[1]

1...Nf6 The most common response to 1.c4, often played in hopes of getting an Indian Defence. However, more than half the time after playing this first move, Black subsequently elects to transpose into either a Symmetrical Defense with ...c5, or a Reversed Sicilian with 1...e5.

1...e5 White has black's position in the Sicilian but with a tempo up. This is often called the reverse-Sicilian.[6] Bruce Leverett, writing the English chapter in MCO14, stated, "It is natural to treat the English as a Sicilian reversed, but the results are often surprising--main lines in the Sicilian Defense correspond to obscure side variations in the English, and vice versa."

1...e6 (Can lead to a Queen's Gambit Declined after 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4, but White often prefers 2.Nf3).

1...c5 (the Symmetrical Variation) including attempts to try the Hedgehog system.[7]

1...f5 leads to a Dutch Defense when White follows up with d4.

1...g6 may lead to a Modern Defense or after d6 and Nf6 to the King's Indian Defence, or stay within English lines.

1...c6 (Can lead to a Slav Defence after 2.d4 d5, but White will often prefer a Caro-Kann Defence with 2.e4 d5, or a Reti Opening after 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3).

1...b6 The English Defence. This setup involves the fianchetto of the queenside bishop and 2...e6. Often Black will defer the move ....Nf6, choosing to attack the center with ...f5 and/or ...Qh4. The English grandmasters Anthony Miles and Jonathan Speelman have successfully used this opening.

1...g5 An eccentric response known as Myers' Defense after Hugh Myers' advocacy of it in print and actual play.[8][9][10] It is intended as an improved Grob's Attack; after 2.d4, Black will pressurise d4 with moves such as ...Bg7, ...c5, and ...Qb6.[9][11] According toNunn's Chess Openings, White obtains a small advantage after 2.d4 Bg7 (offering a Grob-like gambit: 3.Bxg5 c5) 3.Nc3 h6 4.e4.[12]Myers recommended 3...c5 (instead of 3...h6); in response, Joel Benjamin advocates 4.dxc5![9]

Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has classified the English Opening under the codes A10 through A39:

Comments

Unleash..."I feel like The Blackmar Diemar Gambit is a highly successful, risky, and uncommon game to play. I like using it against players who move quickly, or think that pieces don't come at a price." Bingo!

my favorite opening, especially against stronger players who have excellent understanding of more common openings... depending on black's response the follow-up move can be very offensive (d4 or nc3) or conservative (g3). I've been told that c4 is a favorite among grandmasters these days but I don't know if that is true.

In your opinion is the English Opening better than the Kings-Indian-Opening when it comes to playing players with 1350 and below? I want to improve my openings and just want to know which one you prefer.

The English is more flexible and gives you the option of responding forcefully to a strong opening; the King's Indian is more closed and formal, which allows for more time to figure out what an inexperienced player might have in mind.

fischeryouth...that board is what I hope for everytime black responds to c4 w/ e5...I agree w/ you about the advantage in positioning that knight in d5. I avoid trading pieces early in hopes of the board becoming very congested...the three pawn structure stands on its own...hope for black to castle earlier than you, then send the pawns from that side up to attack. Often the positioning leading up to that will leave black w/ weapons in the wrong places to shut it down properly. Just make sure you have d4 in your mind w/ every move, and keep the Q away from squares that can be threatened by the black QKn moving there...tempo, pawn structure on the wings...much can be squandered from having to waste a move getting that queen out of harm's way.

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